Ambassador Jawad Welcomes President Obama and Officials
Ambassador Said T. Jawad extended his welcome to President Barack Obama and the officials of his administration, pledging to continue working closely together to strengthen and deepen the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Afghanistan.
In a letter to President Obama, Ambassador Jawad congratulated him for his campaign and electoral victory and thanked him for his broad focus on security and development in Afghanistan. "In your meeting with President Karzai in Kabul last July, you rightfully emphasized the need for a strategy that enhances not only military capabilities but also increase economic resources," write Ambassador Jawad. "In particular, we welcome your expressions of support for a greater focus on projects to meet the basic needs of ordinary Afghans, as well as the keen understanding you have shown of the regional dimensions of assuring Afghanistan’s stability."
Ambassador Jawad also wrote to Vice President Joseph Biden, who visited Afghanistan recently and has extensive experience in international relations from his tenure as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "Over the past seven years, the Government and people of Afghanistan have appreciated the substantive leadership role that you have played in your capacity as Chairman and Ranking Member of the Foreign Relations Committee," he wrote. "The supporter of many initiatives to help rebuild and secure Afghanistan, you were the first Senator to have visited our country. We are grateful for your steadfast support and deep understanding of Afghanistan and related regional issues."
Ambassador Jawad also addressed letters to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke; and National Security Advisor James Jones. He congratulated each of them and recognized the role they would play as part of President Obama's "outstanding national security and foreign policy team."
